This week, NHSN welcomed 27 young and early career naturalists to a new programme dedicated to developing their skills in natural history.
Thanks to the generous support of the Reece Foundation, the NHSN Field Skills Programme is back for its second year. Dedicated to providing local students, young naturalists and early-career professionals with opportunities to improve their skills, grow employability and learn from experienced local naturalists, the programme began on Saturday with a special event in the Great North Museum: Hancock.
With transport, training and resources provided, a total of 12 trips will take place to various sites across Tyneside and Northumberland, offering young people the chance to experience wildlife in the field and continuing a long tradition of NHSN field trips that have taken place since the 19th century.
With a focus on insects and botany, these trips provide an exciting opportunity to learn together in the field while hearing from local experts in bees, wildflowers, ladybirds and more. This year, participants will enjoy an overview of wildlife recording at NHSN’s Gosforth Nature Reserve, explore bees at Jesmond Dene and Prudhoe, discover orchids on Holy Island and even take part in a special bioblitz event at the Hepple Estate in Northumberland. They will also have the opportunity to learn from and network with land managers, and to meet like-minded naturalists connected by a shared passion for nature.
I’m thrilled to have been accepted on the NHSN Field Skills Programme. I am studying Environmental Studies through The Open University this October which is hosted purely online so this programme will fill that gap that I need to seriously pursue a career in conservation!
George Morley
I’m super excited to learn more about wildflowers and trees, as woodland management has always interested me. I’m also keen to learn about bees and the different species that live in the North East.
2025 Field Skills Programme Participant
North East nature needs passionate young people and NHSN recognises that there can be a lack of opportunities for young people to develop their skills and build on their interest in natural history. Thanks to committed naturalists within NHSN we are delighted that they are keen to share their expertise with a younger generation of naturalists.
We recognise that the current job market is incredibly competitive and that young people must grow their CVs to stand out – this can be difficult for many due to a lack of opportunities and often, the costs incurred. NHSN wants to help and is incredibly grateful to Reece Foundation for making this exciting opportunity possible.
Despite growing up wildlife spotting in the hills above my village, and studying one of my favourite UK native species, the Adder, during my Zoology BSc, I have noticed that my knowledge of local botany and entomology have some gaps. I am hoping to inspire others about the natural world and share my passions, and currently volunteer as an animal caretaker with captive animals.
Rowan Bagenal-Lowe, 2025 Field Skills Programme Participant
I am aware that my field skills could also use improvement and I’m extremely grateful to NHSN for this opportunity to learn as much as I possibly can from local naturalists.
Celebrating the programme’s return, NHSN Director, Clare Freeman, said:
The most inspiring part of natural history is always the field trips! The opportunity to learn from others, outdoors, often in wonderful locations is much more effective than indoor lectures.
In 2024, it was so exciting to launch our first Field Skills Programme for young and early-career naturalists. Feedback on this was overwhelmingly positive and we a thrilled to launch the programme again this year and help even more young people gain skills in natural history.
On behalf of NHSN, a huge ‘thank you’ to the Reece Foundation for making this exciting opportunity possible.
